Sex worker outreach service given marching orders

An outreach service for female street-based sex workers in Darlinghurst will be forced to move, with the City of Sydney Council insisting the service cease operating at its current premises.

Baptist Church welfare organisation Hope Street Urban Compassion, which operates the ‘Women’s Space’ at 234 Bourke St, Darlinghurst, has been told it must vacate the premises or face court action as it breaches urban planning controls by its location in a residential area, within close proximity to the KU Frances Newton Preschool and the SCEGGS Darlinghurst Girl’s High School.

The service, which helps women explore alternatives to working in the sex industry, must cease operations at its current address by June 11, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore told City News this week.

“Hope Street … does not have necessary approvals, as this facility is in a residential area,” said Ms Moore.

“The City has received objections from the local community and for more than a year we have done everything we can to help Hope Street find new accommodation.

“Due to Hope Street’s very specific and complex requirements, the City was unable to provide them with a suitable site.”

Ms Moore said the City of Sydney issued an order in October last year requiring Hope Street to stop using the building within 60 days.

Hope Street appealed to the NSW Land and Environment Court and was given until April 15 to vacate the premises. With the Women’s Service still operating at time of writing, Ms Moore said the City would take the matter further.

“Hope Street has still failed to leave the building and the City has asked Hope Street to do so by June 11 or face contempt of court action,” said the Lord Mayor.

Jane Anderson, President of the East Sydney Neighbourhood Association, told City News local residents support the City’s actions.

“Council has been very patiently attempting to find alternative premises for a long time now. The facility is … in the wrong location, directly opposite a preschool. Given that the City will be spending millions to expand the Frances Newton preschool, it is unfathomable that a sex worker drop in clinic should remain at its current location, within metres of two school grounds, which clearly breaches current state planning laws,” she said.

Hope Street Urban Compassion has been operating the Women’s Space on Bourke St since early 2011.

In addition to helping women transition from sex work into other employment, it provides housing assistance, safe sex information, street safety advice, and drug and alcohol counselling referalls.